Healthy Eating is Not a Resolution – it is a Lifestyle

If eating healthier next year is a resolution of yours, read why meal planning needs to be a huge part of it.

Read why meal planning is a must for your healthy eating journey. Download your free 2018 calendars!No, we shouldn’t think about maintaining a healthy lifestyle in January alone. But you know what? A new year is a great reminder to renew your motivation and health plan.

Each year I create my weight-loss resolutions, and 2018 was no different. In this blog post, I share my main goal: meal planning.

(Psst – be sure to sign up and download my free menu planning calendars!)

Download your free meal planning calendars for 2018! Choose blank or numbered ones, and start your healthy journey from day one.

Keep the Weight Off

A research study showed that people who planned their meals were less likely to be obese. Although meal planning will not directly cause weight reduction, it is a habit that helps you stay healthier. A person who can keep up with meal planning can also keep up exercise, healthy cooking, and strict shopping. Not to mention, planning your meals and shopping ahead of time reduces stress, which reduces stress eating. Win!

Saves Money

Time and time again, I have watched my grocery bill shrink when I shop according to a menu and list. Although I have little to no will power at restaurants, for some reason I can do a pretty solid job of sticking to a shopping list in a grocery store.

People may tell you that eating healthy is expensive, but that has never been the case for me. Yes, almond flour is more expensive than wheat flour, but I end up buying about five times fewer items on my whole trip. When you don’t buy sweets and junk, you save money – who knew!

Eliminates Food Waste

If you are like me, you enjoy a good meal of leftovers. But many times, I end up wasting ingredients that were used in one recipe. Meal planning eliminates this type of food waste because you can plan two or three meals with the same ingredient, like sour cream or milk. Be smart with the types of recipes you plan for the week!


Ready to get your year off to a great start? Download your free diet workbook and menu planning calendars today! Click here to get started.

Download your free diet workbook and menu planning calendars!

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Why a Bad Meal Will Not Ruin Your Low Carb Diet

Think one bad meal will throw off your entire low carb diet? Think again.

Why a Bad Meal Will Not Ruin Your Low Carb DietOkay, tell me if this sounds familiar.

You have started your healthy eating journey, but alas! You have guests in town, and together you enjoy delicious, unhealthy meals. Before you know it, your clothes are tight again and you feel all bloated. Damn. You try to start eating healthy again, and then BAM. A bad lunch gets you off track. Oh well, you can start again next week. Might as well enjoy carby foods this week…

This mindset has been mine many times. And every time I slide back into bad habits, I feel defeated.

Is a week of bad eating really ruin my hard work, though?

I decided to test this theory. I tried to see if a streak of healthy eating could counteract a streak of bad eating – see my results below!

The Test

Monday through Thursday of the test week was spent getting back on my healthy eating journey. My starting weight was back to 13 pounds heavier than my goal, I felt bloated, and my clothes were tight. Bad for me, but good for gauging the effectiveness of my test.

On Monday I stayed low carb, even giving up coffee. A good day. I skipped breakfast, snacked on deli meat throughout the day, then ate a healthy dinner.

On Tuesday, I again stayed low carb all day. I even managed to work in 45 minutes of moderate exercise!

Wednesday and Thursday were not all low carb. During my evening book club on Wednesday, I scarfed-down about six no-bake cookies. Yikes. And Thursday’s lunch at work had mashed potatoes. Not a complete success, but again, I wondered if it would ruin my two days of great food choices.

Each day of the week I slept seven to eight hours and drank three to five 12-oz glasses of water. So, did my two meals of high carb foods throw off my entire diet?

NO.

No, you ask? Six no-bake cookies and mashed potatoes did not undo all of my work?

No, and I actually lost five pounds. Yes, mostly water weight, but the improvement is proof that a couple of slip-ups do not ruin the work you put in the rest of the time.

After four days and with a few bad meals, I was still able to see a difference in my body.

My point? Don’t give up. Never give up. If you enjoy a meal that is off-track, use the next meal as a fresh start. Get back to your plan and your menu. You got this. Good luck!


Want tips and recipes to help you on your low carb journey? I have a book that is only $0.99 to help even those who hate cooking. Get yours today!

Want to be healthy but hate to cook?

Also be sure to grab your FREE Diet Isn’t a Dirty Word workbook! Read strategies and track your own journey to be healthier you.

A free workbook to make your low carb diet easier!